The Somerset reporter., 1887-05-11
History of the Percheron Race.
ny CHARLES pu HAYS or FRANCE.


horses imported from France, Normans,
it is fact that there is no breed in
France called by that name, by the French
people; the name Norman therefore, is
purely American.
The different breeds of France are
known by the name of the districts in
which they are bred, as follows: Perch
erons, Bretons, Picards and Boulonnais.
The Percherons are the most highly
priced of all French races, and all depart
ments of France go to the Perche for
stations to improve their local breeds.
The following history is quoted from
the works of the above author; al
most everything that has been written
about the horse may be reduced pretty
much to complaining that there does not
exist breed which unites, in an elevated
degree high moral or physical qualities,
modestly seeking and teaching the means
of Obtaining such n breed. 1T Is rca-
sonable that such sentiments should sur
prise us, here in the heart of France,
where for long time, race of horses
has hourished which may be said to MI
the requirements proposed in every way.
The proof of this statement is easy; II
hasty sketch of the principal characters
of the breed sullces to furnish it.
"To no ordinary strength, to vigor
that does not degenerate and to Il con
formation which does not exclude cle-
gancc, it joins docility, mildness, patience
honesty, great kindness, excellent health
and hardy, elastic temperament. Its
movements are quick, spirited and light.
1t exhibits great endurance, both when
hard worked and when forced to main
tain for long time any of its natural
gaits, and 1t possesses the inestmable
quality of moving fast with heavy loads.
1t is particularly valuable for it, astonish-
ing precocity, and produces by its work,
AS a two-ycars-old, more than the cost of
its feed and keep. Indeed. it loves and
shows real aptness for labor, which is
the lot OF all. 1t knows neither the
whims of bad humor nor nervous excite
mcnt Ii bears for man, the companion
Of its labors, an innate confidence, and
expresses to him gentle familiarity, the
fruit of an education for many genera
tons in the midst of his family. Women
and children, from whose hands it is fed
can approach 1t without fear Ina word
If may dare speak thus, il is an honor-
able rare. 1t has that fine oriental grey
coat, the best adapted Of all to withstand
the burning rays of the sun in the midst
of the ields-A coat which pleascs the
eye, and which in the darkness of the
night allowed the position of former
times to see that he was not alone-that
his friend was making his way loyalty be-
fore him 1t Is exempt Ga cause of ever
lasting jealousy among the breeders of
other races, always exempt from the
hereditary bony defects of the hook, and
where 1t Is raised, spawn, jardon, bone
SPAWN, periodical nfamation, and other
dreaded inhrmaties, are not known even
by name,
"This truly typical race would seem
mythe, did ii not exist in our midst But
every day we see, every day we handle
this treasure, the municent gift of Proyi-
dence to this favored region, to III, cause
Of agI icu.ture, that nursing mother, TO
flourish, and with agriculture peace and
abundance. II need not this give breed
every one. from this incomplete sketch,
has recognized the fine race of steady and
laborious horses bred in the ancient PROV
ince Of Perchc $50 justly entitled Perche
If good horses), blowing in long burrows
the soil of Bcauce, and thence spreading
itself over all France, where its qualities
render 1t without rival for all the spec
lalti of rapid draft
THAT cool, restrained and ever fresh
energy that courageous patience of
which the Percheron, every day gives an
dragging, at a trot, heavy loads.
the weight of which frightens the mag
nation; stopping short, both in ascend
ing or descending; starting off freely, and
always without baking; never sulking at
his work or food, and fearing neither
heat nor cold. He remains exclusively
both the quick and mcttlesome draft
horse, and the heavy burden and express
wagon horse. He possesses superior
strength, speed, docility. temper. and hon
,sty, and complete absence of irritable
ty This Is specimen of Percheron
qualities.
"lience it is that all our provinces envy
rs the possession of the race, and even
foreign countries seek after it with an
eagerness amounting to II passion. 1.-The
prices of these stations have increased so
rapidly in few years, that they have
tripled and quadrupled. Accordingly the
possesors sold them. The administrative
aided by the elite of the pro-
endeavored, however, to him
der this emigration. They formed stud
stable at Bonneval. Prizes were given at
Montague, Nogent-le -Rotrou, Illiers and
Vendome. But an end was arrived at
contrary to what was desired Pcrche
was visited to buy tirst.class horses.
What surer guaranty than the prize?
The breeder, who is ordinarily farmer,
not sufficiently rich to be beyond tempta-
ton, finds himself without strength, with
out resistance in presence of this urgent
demand "rhe value of the Percheron is
more evident than ever 1t is his, among
the serviceable races, which is called to-
the greatest fortune. His usefulness
causes him to be everywhere in demand"
zone of the qualities of this breed of
horses, and which has acquired for them
a universal reputation, is fast trotting
while drawing a heavy load: but it
would be an error to suppose that this
ability to trot fast makes him an equal in
every respect to the trotting breeds of the
present day. The trotters draw very lit
tie, but have long stride; and as regards
mere speed, there Is no comparison. The
speciality of the Percheron--rapid draft
has its limits. and 1t is these limits that
wish to make known by numerous ex-
amples officially reported What the Per-
cherons do In the diligences, mails and
post-coaches, is known to every foreign
and 1t Is useless to enlarge upon
it. From one relay to another, drawing
not less than two aud often three thou
sand pounds In all kinds of weather, over
hilly roads, they make their three leagues
an hour and sometimes four, but this Is
.,a ALTA, What thay do In, tho f,rnnf